More Than 90 New Jobs Expected as Siemens Healthineers Expands Its Footprint
(UCBJ) – Siemens Healthineers is expanding its manufacturing and research and development operations in Blount County with a $43.6 million investment expected to create more than 90 new jobs over the next five years.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter and Siemens Healthineers Molecular Imaging officials announced the expansion Sept. 9.
The investment will be made at Siemens Healthineers’ Dunavant Drive facility in Rockford, which houses the company’s Molecular Imaging PET Detector Center for research and development and material production.
The expansion will increase production capacity for Siemens Healthineers’ PET detector technology as the company responds to growing customer demand and the launch of new PET/CT product lines.
The PET detectors manufactured at the Rockford facility capture gamma rays emitted after a patient is injected with a radiopharmaceutical. PET/CT scanners use those signals to create images that help clinicians measure metabolic activity and visualize diseases, including cardiac disease, Alzheimer’s disease and various forms of cancer.
“Tennessee stands out nationwide as one of the best places to do business because of the global brands like Siemens Healthineers that have shaped our state’s economy and business climate over the years. I am proud to take part in announcing nearly 100 new jobs that will create greater opportunity for the families across East Tennessee and look forward to seeing this company’s success in the region,” Lee said.
“We are making significant investments in our research and development sector now to ensure Tennessee is positioned to attract the jobs of the future. Siemens Healthineers’ investment to expand its manufacturing and build out R&D across the company’s Rockford facility strengthens the state’s growing innovation ecosystem, and we are grateful for their continued partnership and commitment to Blount County,” McWhorter said.
James Williams, PhD, head of molecular imaging for Siemens Healthineers, said the company appreciates Tennessee’s support for the project.
“Siemens Healthineers is grateful to the state of Tennessee for supporting the construction and renovation of our Rockford PET Detector Center. This project will increase our production capacity and customer access to our PET/CT scanners to meet the rapidly growing clinical demand for PET/CT imaging in the U.S. and internationally,” Williams said.
The expansion adds to Siemens Healthineers’ presence in Blount County and is expected to strengthen the company’s manufacturing and R&D capabilities in the region.
Photo provided.
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